NZ Briefs for 14th September 2017

Parkes looking for quick improvementJohnathan Parkes is backing Volpe Veloce to make the necessary improvement to win Saturday week's Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings. The Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained Volpe Veloce opened favourite for the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) earlier this month, but could only manage sixth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths behind upset winner Close Up. "I was pretty happy with her run. She got a bit of a shuffle up and she didn't really handle the heavy track," Parkes said. "Graham was happy with the way she came through the race and he was happy with the run too. We think she can be a real factor in the next one." Volpe Veloce is the $6 third favourite on the TAB's fixed-odds market for the Windsor Park Plate behind joint $4.50 favourites Kawi and Gingernuts. Break for GettyA change of plan will result in the smart three-year-old Getty missing next month’s Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “We’ve decided to give him a breather after his last run, I was a bit disappointed but he has been in for a fair while,” trainer Andrew Campbell said. “He’s qualified so we’ll be looking at the $1 million Karaka Mile at Ellerslie for him in January.” Getty won his first two starts before he finished fourth behind Bostonian in the Listed El Roca Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m). Time ticking on multiple winnerGary Vile is hoping to make the most of his remaining opportunities with Justlikeyasister. The Awapuni trainer said retirement was looming for the mare, who is in good order for the Waterforce/Farmers Transport Handicap (1550m) on her home track on Saturday. “We’re running out of time with her, she’ll be going to stud soon,” Vile said. “She’s very, very well though and the track will suit her.” The winner of five races, Justlikeyasister will also benefit from apprentice Timothy Johnson’s two kilo claim. NZ TAB blocked in AustraliaA law change will prevent Australian-based punters from using their New Zealand TAB accounts. As of yesterday, the New Zealand TAB is no longer able to offer wagering services to any person who is located across the Tasman and neither is it possible to access the TAB’s website, mobile app or phone betting channels. The changes have come as a result of the passing of the Australian Interactive Gambling Amendment Act (the IGA), which bans international wagering providers from providing gambling services to persons present in Australia. The law change will also affect any New Zealanders who are travelling to Australia and hoping to use their New Zealand TAB account. Another meeting abandonedThe Taranaki races scheduled for Thursday is the latest fixture to fall foul of the weather. Surface water on the New Plymouth track and the prospect of further rain forced the abandonment of the meeting.